Jacqui Hunt

I cannot express enough praise and gratitude to Gayatri and every single person I have encountered at ASMY in West End. To think that yoga is now such a huge part of my life when I only participated in my first class about 15 months ago, just goes to show the immense benefits this can have on one’s physical, mental and spiritual health.

I had previously been a long term sufferer of severe depression and anxiety. It was not until I took an unconventional, holistic approach to my health that my perspective changed; and in maintaining a state of mental contentment and well-being, I will be eternally grateful to the team at ASMY.

I would recommend this studio to anyone. All ages, fitness levels, whether wanting to improve or simply maintain one’s own health. I can assure you will NEVER regret attending a class. All the instructors are of an extremely high standard, diverse and completely devoid of ego. You will feel right at home, no matter your level of practice.

For me, this is the best studio I’ve encountered in Brisbane since moving from Perth. It stays true to the yogic philosophy and is utterly nonjudgmental, all-inclusive and all the staff and volunteers are kind, generous and incredibly helpful should you have any concerns.

In addition to yoga classes the studio offers so much. Guided and singing meditation, philosophy and even cooking classes. This I feel makes this studio one of the most valuable I’ve come across, as it’s so completely accessible with most of these being completely free or by donation. I cannot express how beneficial these additional classes are, they are so rare and something people would pay a lot of money for, so the fact that they are so accessible is completely invaluable and something I am eternally grateful for.

I feel so incredibly grateful to have found such an amazing place at this stage in my life and would recommend it to absolutely anyone. ASMY really holds a special place in my heart and is perhaps the biggest single factor that has contributed to me maintaining a content and happy state of physical and mental wellbeing for as long as I can remember. Thank you so much.

(P.S. my goal is to become a yoga teacher and holistic counsellor- you have inspired me to make this my life)

Jacqueline Cook

ASMY has been a beautiful part of my life for the last four years. I started out attending the yoga classes, which I really enjoy! It’s great to have lots of different styles to try and the unlimited pass is very good value. The alignment workshops are particularly helpful for developing your practice. After a shoulder injury, I discovered the magic of kirtan, since I couldn’t go to classes any more. It’s fantastic! It really helps me to decompress and focus on what’s important in my life, rather than getting caught up stressing about the minor details. The chai and food is always delicious and the community is amazing, I love them all. I now volunteer as well and so enjoy the chance to spend time with such lovely people. I recommend ASMY to anyone interested in any aspect of the yoga teachings.

Tina Summers
Upon returning to my hometown after living in Melbourne for 15 years I searched in my area for a Yoga studio. After being a teacher of Yoga & practicing for over 10 years I was looking for something of which I was blessed to find at ASMY.
The first thing that struck me at the end of my first yoga class there, was finishing the class with Kirtan. I was sold. Such a beautiful & complete way to end a yoga class.
From thereon I regularly attend yoga classes, relaxation classes & a week does not go by without attending a Kirtan evening. Wednesdays are my personal favourite as I love the chilled & peaceful kirtan evenings & the Sunday night variety is a weekly staple. Also their retreats are amazing!!!
I have to say the team at ASMY have made me feel at home & very welcomed.
From the bottom of my heart I thank Gayatri, Yasi & the other beautiful people that make ASMY more than just a Yoga studio. I was at one of the lowest points in my life & walking into the centre is my safe place that I know I am cared for both physically, mentally & spiritually.
Thank you all so much – much love
Namaste

Mariko Kishi-Debski

I did not begin doing yoga to become physically fit, improve my holistic well-being, or even because I knew somebody who did yoga and they dragged me to a class. I began doing yoga because my high school curriculum required me to be physically active, and I was vehemently opposed to doing sport.

It has now been over seven years since I first crept into a class at the ASMY. High school is a distant memory, and so are the times when my primary motivation for attending yoga classes was dutiful compulsion. Yoga has become a genuine pleasure – even a necessity – in my life, and I have the ASMY to thank for introducing me to that.

Yet my attachment to this centre goes beyond simply showing up to classes in order to get my bi-weekly yoga ‘fix’. The ASMY has been my retreat from the most stressful times of my secondary and tertiary academic studies. Its people – instructors and participants – are among the most genuinely lovely individuals who I have ever seen concentrated in a single space. Moreover, its classes – regardless of who instructs them, and trust me, after seven years, I’ve known a lot of instructors – have never failed to leave me feeling rested, refreshed, and ready to go on with my day.

The ASMY turned me, a relatively inactive fourteen-year-old, into that physically fit, holistically conscious somebody who drags their friends along to yoga classes. I would highly recommend seeing what it – and yoga – could do for you.

 

Philippa Walters

My experience at ASMY Brisbane centre has honestly been life changing. When I first came across the center I attended a wonderful free yoga class by Jo and the whole ride home I was singing the mantra Gauranga, not a clue what it meant, but the sacred sound appealed to me the moment I heard it! I was surely convinced that this centre had more of these magical matras to offer, and this was true. I next attended The Mantra Room where a special guest Acharya Das was doing a talk on “How to Live a Successful Life”. I walked out of there that evening with a real change of where my life was going. I had to return for more, this awakening of where my happiness belongs, got me questioning a lot about this process of Bhakti Yoga.

I became a regular to The Mantra Room and discoved a once a month Bhagavad Gita class at which I was amazed by the wonderful Gayatri dasi’s knowledge. She did not hesitate to answer any of my crazy questions and I was fully satisfied with her anwsers which she gave with great passion and honesty. Aside from The Mantra Room I came across a free (donation optional) Deep Peace Meditation class, which was super relaxing and incorparated these beautiful mantras that I was so attracted to. If not at work or travelling I am usually at the ASMY Brisbane centre, attending the yoga asanas, Deep Peace, Bhagavad Gita or Kirtan sessions, it feels like my second home. I am so thankful to the manager Gayatri dasi, all the brilliant staff and volunteers that help run such an welcoming and sacred centre, you have changed my life for the better!

Margaret Van Hees

It was quite a few years ago that ASMY was recommended to me, so began my experience with the school.  The yoga and deep peace classes contribute a lot to my life and consequently my well-being.  I cannot speak highly enough of the staff, the class structure and the timetable, that surely have options to suit all.  There are kirtan evenings, cooking classes, workshops, open days and retreats.  What an all-encompassing centre it is that offers these choices for a more healthy and relaxing life. Many thanks to all concerned.

Peter Pendle - Sherwood Brisbane

In writing this testimonial I will be answering two questions, the first is, as a 56 year old male who has never done yoga before, what is it that makes me continue after 4 years of Yoga. The second question is why I drive for 15 minutes twice a week past 12 other Yoga centers, to the ASMY?

I developed an overall health program looking at all aspects of my health. This included Physical, Mental, Spiritual, Social and Cultural activities. I believe I’m more comfortable and motivated to undertake a task in a group situation rather than solo-inisolation. The fact that I was a total novice and had no experience in Yoga, made sense to go to an organization which could direct / channel me in a safe productive manner to achieve my physical goals. My main focus in undertaking Yoga was to increase my overall flexibility. In the first year I achieved this with an overall increased improvement in flexibility of 15%. Second year was less at 5%, third year there was no gain, Fourth year I am starting to notice small improvements in Range of Motion (ROM) in specific restricted joints. My technique is far from perfect, a long way from the instructors and bears no resemblance to the young people who do Yoga on a more serious note. However I can do the majority of moves as well as some people half my age.

Second question, is why I attend the ASMY. When I asked around about different Yoga centers the ASMY was recommended to me, more for the food that goes with the extra activities than the Yoga itself. It would be wrong for me to compare the ASMY with other centers as I have never had the exposure or the necessary experience to do this. The two things outside of the Yoga I really like about the ASMY center are firstly the positive ambient atmosphere which lends itself to form a current of high energy within the physical environment of undertaking a Yoga class. The second being the staff who are highly qualified practitioners demonstrating a true sincerity to help where they can. I find it a pleasure to associate with these beautiful, lovely people who give of themselves to help other on such a regular basis.

The cost and time to undertake a Yoga class twice a week dwindles into insignificance, compared to attending and paying for Physiotherapist treatment once a week.

Namaste

Mandy Hill

Three years ago I saw a yoga and meditation lifestyle retreat advertised, it was for a weekend in the Byron Bay Hinterland being hosted by the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga. I hadn’t heard of the school, but the retreat was so affordable that I decided a weekend to stretch and detox would do me a world of good. Work and life struggles had been bothering me and I’d been suffering with insomnia, headaches, back pain and anxiety.

When I arrived at the retreat I was warmly welcomed by Candace and instantly felt amongst friends. The volunteer yoga teachers generously gave their time to guide the retreat goers through 3 days of vegetarian food, herbal tea, yoga asanas and meditation. I was familiar with silent meditation, but had never heard of Kirtan. Kirtan is the call and response singing of mantras. When the sound of the harmonium filled the retreat hall for the first time, I was overwhelmed by the beauty and instantly felt drawn to the sounds. The retreat took me away from all the worries of work and living in the world, and I felt so renewed from the experience.

After the retreat it was soon back to business as usual with work and life stresses, and it was not long before the anxiety, pain and sleeplessness crept back in. Things went from bad to worse and after many sleepless nights, I felt as though my world was imploding. By chance I stumbled past an email from Candace from the retreat some months ago, and I remembered her warmth, her joy and the way she seemed so…untroubled.

I sat down and wrote a long email to Candace explaining my situation. Candace’s reply was gentle, inviting me to come that very evening to chat with her at the school in West End. I met with her that evening, and told her I feel completely lost and don’t know what to do. Candace recommended I attend a Deep Peace meditation class at the school once a week, just to start with that.

And so I did. For one hour a week I attended a deep peace class… and it helped with my anxiety. Over the weeks and months I attended deep peace classes and Saturday morning yoga, I gradually felt better. My husband encouraged me to attend the meditation as he could see the effect it was having. Materially I hadn’t changed anything – my job was still stressful, my health issues were still there, but I felt less anxious and suffered less.

Over the months that followed I began to inquire more about the yoga and meditation practice. I felt it important to deepen my understanding, and with the guidance of Candace I enrolled in the Yoga training course offered through the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga. Through this course I was introduced to my teachers Vrndavan Dasi and Jayasri.

The journey over the next year was truly unforgettable. I began to learn Yoga philosophy, asana technique and teaching methodology, about pranayama and our true nature. The journey continues and I feel so much gratitude towards my teachers and friends at ASMY.

I have grown to especially love Wednesday evenings at West End, where the Kirtan is mellow and soothing, and the chai is warm and sweet. Tuesday evening deep peace at Nundah is also a treat, with guided relaxation as well as kirtan offered. There are so many deep peace and yoga classes to choose from at ASMY and across many locations, there is something for everyone.

In this world you can even have too much of a good thing, but Kirtan is not of this world and you can never have too much. Kirtan is truly universal, and if you have never been along to the school, I warmly welcome you to come along and experience the benefits of guided deep peace, yoga and kirtan.

Namaste.

Kitty Kinivan

Having stumbled across ASMY many years ago during a search to try yoga – yet again, after quite a few ‘below par’ experiences – I feel blessed that it has gone from strength to strength as a school & is still around for me to attend! I happily recommend the school to people all the time.

The teachers have varying styles & skills which will suit some individuals better – however I enjoy all their classes. They are all excellent teachers & remind us that yoga is not a competition. So if I find myself on a particular day with lower energy or have an injury & the class is a more vigorous one, I know I can still do the class at my own level and feel glad I made the effort to get there.

There are now so many class times to choose from, there’s no excuse for me not to attend at least once a week & as my yoga practice grows, I find myself looking forward to each class & am squeezing more than one session a week – work & family life permitting.

The meditation & cooking classes are an added bonus to being an attendee & have really changed things for me at a time when most needed.

Maree Jenner

I have been attending the Hatha Yoga classes at ASMY since July last year, I love that there are a variety of different classes and times to choose from. In October I went along to the Open day which provided me with a good introduction to the full range of activities at the Centre. I have enjoyed them all, especially the wonderful “Live Kirtan” mantra meditation. Since then I have attended the sessions regularly; using them to wind down after a busy week or joining on a Sunday evening to prepare for the coming work week. And to mention the special celebration events they host and the Kirtan Rivers Cruise. For someone like myself that is new to Brisbane the ASMY Centre has provided a great sense of community, as there are so many friendly and like-minded people to meet and share a yummy veggie meal with, making you feel very welcome from the start. Haribol!

Jacqueline Adair Jones – Creative Freelance Writer

I discovered ASMY a few years ago, and I haven’t looked back!

At that time, for a number of reasons, I was stressed out, anxious and depressed. I was being treated for PTSD, and my therapist kept suggesting relaxation techniques and deep breathing. Following his advice, I decided to try ASMY’s “Deep Peace” sessions. I made a commitment to practicing it regularly for two months and then to evaluate my progress. Almost immediately I felt better. With regular practice, I was much more able to self-regulate in overwhelming moments. Now, I can’t imagine a life without meditation practice.

It’s just been so nice to give my mind a break. This doesn’t happen in the therapeutic context, where you are required to talk and seek and dredge up complex experiences from the past. I’d often leave therapy feeling worse, but I float out of the Deep Peace classes feeling rested, renewed, and positive.

I actually feel like a different person. I feel up to whatever challenges come my way. I feel more in charge of my destiny simply because I’ve learned to “let go”. I have perspective.

And because ASMY provides such a lovely environment, I practice yoga and kirtan too. I take advantage of the many wonderful workshops on offer. Their wholistic approach has given me greater self-awareness, better health, and much needed peace of mind. Bravo, ASMY.

Gail Sidcombe

I have been a regular participant at the West End studio of the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga for over two years. The classes are fantastic, very versatile and rewarding. I never get tired of them. All the teachers are fully trained,professional, supportive and fun. All classes have modifications for all levels of student fitness and experience.

The studio space is just lovely, peaceful and comfortable.  The equipment is well maintained and the airconditioning a welcoming bonus for practice. The timetable suits all types of working arrangements and the fees are very low for the benefit and quality of the classes provided.

There are also classes in relaxation and kirtan which are very popular.

Recently I attended an alignment workshop which was marvelous and delivered a much needed reminder of the importance of good alignment in yoga practice.

I love my yoga practice,find it all very beneficial and would not go anywhere else for my classes. I can’t thank the wonderful people at ASMY enough for the most inspiring and exciting yoga regime that I have experienced.